ok kids I know it has been extremely long since I have posted...so long that I may be the only one who reads this.
anyway, we are dealing with having a baby boy in one month, the ever expanding curiosity and experimentation of our first born, who is growing up far too fast....and, starting last Wednesday, 16 brand new baby lambs.
As well as Christy being busier than ever, along with being 8 months pregnant, school for me and returning to work (again) with the prospect of having another surgery as early as two weeks.
so life just keeps happenin'
oh yeah, I did get to see Los Lobos rock the freakin' house up here in the land of the redneck...it was cool!
new looks, pictures and ramblings coming soon...
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Monday, December 25, 2006
merry christmas
it is to this end that we remember a man who would be king...love.
love the people...not the stuff
love the people...not the stuff
Monday, December 04, 2006
thursday
this past thursday i was in san francisco for a doctors appointment that gave me what i was looking for...the date of my next surgery. on the 13th of december dr. brooks is going to reposition my thumb to a more usable position. needless to say I AM STOKED...sure i will be laid up for a bit and my right hand will be virtually useless for some weeks but this will allow me to have more dexterity and help me feel a lot less frustrated with my hand...i hope!
also, i was able to meet with some new friends, RYAN, HOLLY AND PAXTON SHARP. i cannot begin to explain the amount of rest and kindredness for my spirit they radiated. i was first introduced to ryan via the nick and josh podcast. i sought out holly and his music the cobalt season, which i completely recommend, and met a number of people who love them when i was in new mexico for the gathering. anyway since they live in san francisco and i go there often we decided to hook up.
so glad we did
also, i was able to meet with some new friends, RYAN, HOLLY AND PAXTON SHARP. i cannot begin to explain the amount of rest and kindredness for my spirit they radiated. i was first introduced to ryan via the nick and josh podcast. i sought out holly and his music the cobalt season, which i completely recommend, and met a number of people who love them when i was in new mexico for the gathering. anyway since they live in san francisco and i go there often we decided to hook up.
so glad we did
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
the dog
The dog was a cross between a purebred border collie and a wonderful mutt that looked somewhat like a German Shepard. She had very noticeable herd instincts and a sweet disposition like her mother. Other than not being trained, her single flaw was she would run away and go God knows where. The couple could not leave the front gate open to their little ranch because of this flightiness. Although every neighbor they had met was civilized and friendly, they had never met the neighbors on the other side of the gorge that lay at the back of their property. They were concerned about what the dog was doing when it ran off and did not want her to get shot. In the end, though, they just had too many animals, so they decided she needed to go.
They put an ad in the paper and started getting phone calls. Unfortunately, they were concerned with many other things and time constraints and responded to the first caller, letting him know that if he wanted her she was his. He explained to them that he had, just that morning, buried his daughter’s dog, a Border Collie mix, and that their dog was to replace it. It sounded wonderful to them and they were pleased to hear that she was going to what appeared to be a good home.
They packed her up and made off to where they were to meet the man and his daughter. They were already heading that direction for a holiday, so this just seemed to fit well with their plans. Although they did not verbalize it to each other, they had both virtually decided that this was the new home for their dog. When they arrived at the meeting place they promptly found the man. An elderly though youthful man, he was very cordial and confident. He reiterated the reasons for why he wanted this dog and said under his breath that his daughter was continually crying. Finally his daughter emerged and the couple had instant reservations. She looked very tired and used, like she had been wrestling with a vice for years and it often got the upper hand. There was no reason to doubt the validity of the familial connection between the father and daughter other than she looked to be the same age as him.
She instantly took to the dog and vice versa, and would occasionally return to the couple to ask questions or state her ability to train dogs. Upon one of these little visits she disclosed what had happened to her former companion. Apparently she was camped out across from a highway truck stop and the managers didn’t appreciate the presence of her and her dog. According to her story, choking back tears, they had poisoned the dog. She had taken a blood sample to the vet and confirmed the presence of Arsenic and antifreeze. The couple was stunned to hear this, because, again, they had major reservations and, again, didn’t know how to pull the plug on this situation. The woman was obviously homeless and the couple began to question, to themselves, whether or not she would be able to properly care for and protect this dog that they did love. They quietly watched the interaction between the woman and the dog, and because of time constraints, a cold wind, and a child getting impatient, they decided it was time to go. They got the address of the man and promised to send all pertinent information about the dog, which the woman was emphatic about receiving. They watched the dog load into the car of the man and said goodbye.
The rest of the trip was virtually silent.
Throughout that long weekend they would periodically pose questions to each other about whether or not they did the right thing for the dog. They were uneasy about it but also had a resolute feeling of, “What is done is done.” They were sad about a hasty decision.
When they returned home they decided to call the man and see how the dog was doing, and honestly, find out if they could get the dog back. The man told them that the woman had already moved on and he had no way of contacting her.
That was it.
She was gone.
The only thing they have left of the dog, is the hope and prayer that she and the woman will be safe and a blessing to each other.
They put an ad in the paper and started getting phone calls. Unfortunately, they were concerned with many other things and time constraints and responded to the first caller, letting him know that if he wanted her she was his. He explained to them that he had, just that morning, buried his daughter’s dog, a Border Collie mix, and that their dog was to replace it. It sounded wonderful to them and they were pleased to hear that she was going to what appeared to be a good home.
They packed her up and made off to where they were to meet the man and his daughter. They were already heading that direction for a holiday, so this just seemed to fit well with their plans. Although they did not verbalize it to each other, they had both virtually decided that this was the new home for their dog. When they arrived at the meeting place they promptly found the man. An elderly though youthful man, he was very cordial and confident. He reiterated the reasons for why he wanted this dog and said under his breath that his daughter was continually crying. Finally his daughter emerged and the couple had instant reservations. She looked very tired and used, like she had been wrestling with a vice for years and it often got the upper hand. There was no reason to doubt the validity of the familial connection between the father and daughter other than she looked to be the same age as him.
She instantly took to the dog and vice versa, and would occasionally return to the couple to ask questions or state her ability to train dogs. Upon one of these little visits she disclosed what had happened to her former companion. Apparently she was camped out across from a highway truck stop and the managers didn’t appreciate the presence of her and her dog. According to her story, choking back tears, they had poisoned the dog. She had taken a blood sample to the vet and confirmed the presence of Arsenic and antifreeze. The couple was stunned to hear this, because, again, they had major reservations and, again, didn’t know how to pull the plug on this situation. The woman was obviously homeless and the couple began to question, to themselves, whether or not she would be able to properly care for and protect this dog that they did love. They quietly watched the interaction between the woman and the dog, and because of time constraints, a cold wind, and a child getting impatient, they decided it was time to go. They got the address of the man and promised to send all pertinent information about the dog, which the woman was emphatic about receiving. They watched the dog load into the car of the man and said goodbye.
The rest of the trip was virtually silent.
Throughout that long weekend they would periodically pose questions to each other about whether or not they did the right thing for the dog. They were uneasy about it but also had a resolute feeling of, “What is done is done.” They were sad about a hasty decision.
When they returned home they decided to call the man and see how the dog was doing, and honestly, find out if they could get the dog back. The man told them that the woman had already moved on and he had no way of contacting her.
That was it.
She was gone.
The only thing they have left of the dog, is the hope and prayer that she and the woman will be safe and a blessing to each other.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
sometimes...
sometimes i am a christian
sometimes i am a diest
sometimes i am an atheist
sometimes i just know i am agnostic
sometimes i am obnoxiously opinionated
sometimes i am just plain apathetic
sometimes i am insanely optimistic
sometimes i am darkly pessimistic
sometimes i am all or some of these at the same time
and yet, sometimes i still don't know who i am
sometimes i am a diest
sometimes i am an atheist
sometimes i just know i am agnostic
sometimes i am obnoxiously opinionated
sometimes i am just plain apathetic
sometimes i am insanely optimistic
sometimes i am darkly pessimistic
sometimes i am all or some of these at the same time
and yet, sometimes i still don't know who i am
Monday, November 27, 2006
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Monday, October 30, 2006
death and life
Oftentimes we will have people comment on how cool it would be living on a farm….well not to piss on your parade but here is a glimpse of what is involved in the enchanted world of farm-life…
Yesterday morning as we were feeding animals Christy noticed one of the ewes was laboring and actually had something distended from her hindquarters (best way to say it) she thought the ewe was aborting her pregnancy because it is very early for them to lamb…but alas a few hours later finds a little black lamb sucking at momma’s teat. The ewe, “Blue,” looked like she maybe had another in there so we left them alone. When we came back in a bit blue was on the ground with what appeared to be another lamb coming out but what turned out being a prolapsed uterus (look it up if you want the gory details, it is not pretty). We have some books that help with this stuff and with blue being very old we didn’t want to spend a small fortune on getting a vet down our three miles of dirt road. We worked on her for a while and tried to get the uterus back in place, but to no avail.
This is where it gets hard. We realized that blue is failing rapidly and have to make the decision to put her down…which is my job…I hate it! I do it in the least painful, quickest way possible. She is a 200+lb sheep and with only one good hand and Christy pregnant there isn’t any way in anywhere that we are moving her…so I fire up the tractor and take her out back where she is now giving back to the earth.
So…now we have this little girl living in our kitchen and making my daughter laugh, but actually needs to be fed more often than K1. Life is a give and take…and it is never easy.
So if you ever have a twisted notion that life out here is grand come on up and help us out anytime…we will be glad for the company, the help and we will let you walk through some shit…
Yesterday morning as we were feeding animals Christy noticed one of the ewes was laboring and actually had something distended from her hindquarters (best way to say it) she thought the ewe was aborting her pregnancy because it is very early for them to lamb…but alas a few hours later finds a little black lamb sucking at momma’s teat. The ewe, “Blue,” looked like she maybe had another in there so we left them alone. When we came back in a bit blue was on the ground with what appeared to be another lamb coming out but what turned out being a prolapsed uterus (look it up if you want the gory details, it is not pretty). We have some books that help with this stuff and with blue being very old we didn’t want to spend a small fortune on getting a vet down our three miles of dirt road. We worked on her for a while and tried to get the uterus back in place, but to no avail.
This is where it gets hard. We realized that blue is failing rapidly and have to make the decision to put her down…which is my job…I hate it! I do it in the least painful, quickest way possible. She is a 200+lb sheep and with only one good hand and Christy pregnant there isn’t any way in anywhere that we are moving her…so I fire up the tractor and take her out back where she is now giving back to the earth.
So…now we have this little girl living in our kitchen and making my daughter laugh, but actually needs to be fed more often than K1. Life is a give and take…and it is never easy.
So if you ever have a twisted notion that life out here is grand come on up and help us out anytime…we will be glad for the company, the help and we will let you walk through some shit…
Friday, October 27, 2006
update on mike menning
An up and down week it's been. I'm writing this from Greg and Cindy's house in Tampa (Kara's brother and wife). As the week went on we started to believe more and more that this was not going to be an urgent condition. Let me just cut off my explanation and let you hear it directly from my mom's version:
Well, welcome home! We have changed location of our waiting room and for that we praise Our CREATOR!
After consultation with the kidney specialists it was determined that the cause of part of the problems Mike has faced in the past ten days may VERY LIKELY -- not for sure -- may be caused by some kind of allergic reaction -- to what? Not yet determined, but a hunch was even something as simple as aspirin or ibuprofen!!!!!!!! So, no kidney biopsy for at least 7 - 10 days due to potential of bleeding in the meantime watch symptoms. Stop even the baby aspirin and no ibuprofen, as well as a couple other adjustments on his diabetes medications.
In the meantime -- what about the gal bladder? Well, after more consultation with a surgeon resident doc and the main team of doctors who have dealt with Mike since Saturday evening -- we are at peace about waiting to sort out the kidney problem first and then proceed with the surgery -- it is agreed that his wish will come true in due time.
When I specifically asked the question whether all felt we ought to be at peace at this point in regard to the non-presence of cancer, they of course, were not able to give a black or white answer, but feel there are not enough signs to point that direction and feel adequate tests would assure us that all has been done for now -- to be at peace.
Now, we are at home, our path is not necessarily that of understanding, but surely it is God's. We have prayed for good reports, good medical care and peace -- and we do have that. We have prayed for healing and ask you to join us again in that prayer -- for complete restoration and clarity. We know that God alone is the peace giver and we are willing to receive!
Thanks again for all your caring and loving messages, cards, visits, and greetings, and most of all your prayers.
Mitch again - let me thank all of you too for all of your concern, prayers and care. It's almost embarrassing if this turns out to be nothing more than a bad gall bladder and an allergic reaction. It's great news, but far from potential lymphoma!
Have a great weekend,
Mitch
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
for mike menning
O Lord, Holy Father, creator of the universe, author of its laws, you can bring the dead back to life, and heal those who are sick. We pray for our sick brother that he may feel your hand upon him, renewing his body and refreshing his soul. Show him the affection in which you hold all your creatures.
Dimma, a 7th Century Irish monk
Christ, give him the strength; your servant is not well.
The tongue that praised You is made silent,
Struck dumb by the pain of sickness.
He cannot bear to sing your praises.
O, make him well again, make him whole,
That he may again proclaim your greatness.
Do not forsake him, I beseech you.
Let him return now to your service.
Gregory of Nazianzus (modified)
Lord, we pray for our brother Mike that you would heal him and restore him.
Lord, hear our prayer.
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